An antithesis is the opposite to a thesis. A thesis is an idea, a theory, a concept - something that explains your world to you. The anthesis of good is evil. They are opposed. They are in opposition to each other. They are antithetical.
In poetry antithesis is a device used to show how two objects or ideas are different to each other. Antithesis can also be used to reinforce the tempo of a poem. Let's explore how this works...
The 1920 poem Fire and Ice by Robert Frost is a classic example of antithesis:
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
The juxtaposition of fire and ice as two opposing concepts has a dramatic effect on the reader. It creates a tension in the comparisons. It allows the poet to elaborate on the ideas, melding them into a metaphor for love and desire, and also as a device to express his observations on life. It's a rhythmic triumph in the use of antithesis.
Another well known example of antithesis can be found in Hamlet's soliloquy, from the classic play by William Shakespeare. In it, Hamlet is contemplating a perennial antithesis: the meaning of life and the finality of death.
To be or not to be, that is the questionWhether 'tis nobler in the mindTo suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortuneOr to take up arms against a sea of troubles.
Again, it's very dramatic, and as the soliloquy progresses, it reveals the turmoil present in Hamlet's mind as he battles with his conscience.
Another example of antithesis is present in a famous poem called If, by Rudyard Kipling.
If you can meet with triumph and disasterAnd treat those two imposters just the same...
This is a rather interesting approach to antithesis, because the poet identifies several binaries - opposing ideas like triumph and disaster, and then tells the reader that in reality, they don't really matter - because the character of the person is much more important than the fate that befalls him. It's not so much what happens to you, but how you respond to it that is the key to your success.
Steve Wheeler
Image used by Creative Commons licence from Flickr
15. Paradox
16. Euphony
I just have to say that as a poet, reconciling opposites is what I do. Creating themes based on antithesis not only creates tension, it can bring resolution if properly addressed! Thanks for this excellent blog Steve!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see one of my old time favourites, Robert Frost mentioned here.
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